Grantham Park winning habit continues

GRANTHAM Park Primary School (GPPS) made it two major competition victories in two consecutive weekends, when the talented U13 soccer team took the spoils at the Eagle Creek Spur and Empangeni Build-It Soccer Tournament held at Empangeni Preparatory on Saturday.

Head coach Sanele Mtshali was chuffed with the success and expressed pride and appreciation for his side that has worked hard this season.

The squad that won the Zululand Build-It Soccer Tournament the week before, beat the host school 1-0 in a closely competed final.

Eight local schools competed in a round robin competition in 15 minute one-way games.

The top four teams which progressed to the semi-finals were Felixton College, Empangeni Preparatory, Melmoth and GPPS.

GPPS made light work of Felixton College, beating them 2-0 to progress to the finals, with the host school edging Melmoth out by one goal (2-1).

After a goalless draw in the third and fourth play-off between Melmoth and Felixton College, it was Melmoth who claimed bronze after keeping their cool to win the penalty shoot-out 2-1.

The finals saw GPPS asking all the questions, having more shots at goal and corners than Empangeni Preparatory.

After constant pressure applied by GPPS, Eyethu Mbense found the back of the net from a super free-kick which beat the host school’s keeper to hand GPPS the overall victory.

GPPS’s Thando Maphanga picked up the Player of the Tournament award after his standout performances on the field.

The schools that participated were – Empangeni Preparatory, Empangeni Christian School, GPPS, Melmoth Primary, Felixton College, St Catherine’s, KwaMbonambi and Zululand Remedial Centre.